After Cocoon's fall, its citizens are now living on Pulse. Civilization has been rough since they're beginning their life all over again. Lightning and the others were able to help everyone with survival since they'd had some experience on Pulse as l'Cie.

It has been six months since the fall of Cocoon. Vanille and Fang awoken from their crystal slumber two months ago, and now they're making a new life in Oerba. Oerba is all ready starting to return to it's old days. It's not filled with flowers, but there are small gardens around the houses.

In New Bodhum, Lightning is now living with her sister and her fiancé. Lightning isn't really too comfortable with the big oaf moving into her new home. But at least the rest of his team NORA isn't moving in, no, they're actually living in their cafe house right down the street. It's only terrible for Lightning if they ever come visit.

Right now, Lightning is sitting on the couch, trying to call Hope. It's been a whole week since she last heard of him. Lightning's starting to worry about him. Normally, she and Hope are real close. If anything would happen, like Hope's on vacation, he got into an accident or he's going to be too busy to even call or text, she would know. But she didn't receive any news.

After a minute of ringing, Lightning receives a voice message, telling her to leave a message. After the beep, Lightning hangs up and sighs. That's when Serah and Snow shows up.

"Hey sis." Snow says.

"How many times do I have to tell you? I'm not your sister!" Lightning says.

"As soon as me and Serah are wedded." Snow wraps an arm around Serah's shoulders. "You will be."

Lightning almost threw up in her mouth hearing that, then she shook her head. "I don't have time to deal with you."

"You still worried about Hope?" Serah asks.

Lightning nods. "I haven't heard from him all week. And he and his dad didn't say anything about anything going on that's preventing Hope from talking to me."

"I'm sure it's nothing." Snow says.

Lightning just glares at Snow. "Aren't you worried? You're the one who promised to look after him."

Snow isn't pleased to be reminded about Hope's mother, he already felt bad that he just cast her promise aside, feeding Hope's anger, enough to cause him to get revenge on Snow.

Lightning walks off. "I'm gonna go check on him."

Serah looks at Lightning all worried. "But, Lightning. New Palumpolum is like 50 miles away."

Lightning grabs her Gunblade and starts heading out the door. "I'll be fine."

Lightning gets into her car and starts driving. Hope has been living with his father in New Palumpolum. Lightning hardly gets the chance to visit Hope with being busy working in the Guardian Corps, and she's sometimes too tired to drive 50 miles after work to visit.

After an hour of driving, Lightning arrives at Hope's home. New Palumpolum is currently a small town, compared to what it use to be back on Cocoon. Lightning can see the driveway is empty, Mr. Estheim, Bartholomew, is probably gone. Lightning walks up to the door and knocks.

"Hope?" No answer, Lightning knocks again. "Hope? Are you home?" Lightning opens the door, to her surprise, it's unlocked. She walks into the house to find it empty, and also messy. It's like someone skipped out on cleaning.

On the floor, Lightning sees piles of bottles. She picks up one of them, to her curious, she sniffs at the tip of the bottle. She's surprised to catch the familiar stanch of whisky, but then becomes worried seeing all these empty bottles. She figured Bartholomew was drinking, but she's worried that Hope might be as well, a young 14 year old, turning 15 soon, getting drunk.

"Has he been drinking? Is that why he's been quiet lately?" Lightning wonders.

Lightning decides to go upstairs, she knows where Hope's room is at, and she figured he could be there. Lightning arrives at Hope's room at the end of the hall. Lightning knocks at the door, she was about to ask if he's in there, but she stopped when she hears a scared scream from behind the door.

"P-please! Don't hurt me!"

Lightning feels confused. "Hurt you?" She whispers, opening the door. Lightning enters in Hopes room, to her surprise, she sees him cowering on the corner. What surprised her most is the statement he's in.

His clothes are a torn mess, he has a black eye, a couple of bruises, a cut on his arm, his hand on his rip cage.

"Hope?" Hope was startled, he looks up to see it's only Lightning.

Lightning rushes towards Hope. "Li-Lightning? What are you doing here?"

"What am I doing here? What happened to you?" Lightning asks. She puts her hands on his shoulders. As soon as she does, he wince and cried out. Lightning retreated her hands. "Sorry...wait here."

Lightning gets on her feet and leaves Hope's room. She returns with a damp rag and a small pack of ice. Lightning kneels in front of Hope, and hands him the ice pack. "Here, you should ice your eye."

Hope nods then holds the ice pack on his eye. Lightning gently rubs the rag on Hopes cut. He groans painfully a little.

"Hope, who did this to you?" Lightning asks.

Hope hesitates to answer Lightning's question. "D-dad."

Lightning is surprised. "Your dad?" Hope nods. "Why? What happened?"

"He's been drinking a lot in the past month." Lightning can tell that was an obvious answer. "About a week ago, he started blaming me for my mom's death. He mentioned it's my fault she's gone cause I was too weak and helpless, that she risked her own life just to save me."

Lightning sighs. "Hope, why didn't you tell me?"

Hope looks up at Lightning with tears in his eyes. "I-I'm sorry, I didn't want you to think that I was...weak and helpless. I thought I could handle him...Also, every time I try to reach the phone, he just stops me."

"You are not weak and helpless. You are stronger then you think. We wouldn't have been able to get through being l'Cie without you." Lightning gently wipes away his tears from his cheeks. "Nobody deserves this, Hope, especially from their parents." Hope slowly nods. "Where's your father now?"

"H-he went to get more whisky. Then he said when he gets back...he's gonna finish the job." Lightning widens her eyes hearing that. She feels horrified that, even drunk, Bartholomew would stoop that low. "Wh...what does he mean? I-is he going to..."

Hope gulps at the thought of what he meant. Lightning was about to speak, but was interrupted when she hears a door slam from downstairs. Even Hope is in fear. "He's here!"

Lightning slowly stands up and makes her way to the door. When she reaches the door, she puts her ear on it, listening closely. She can hear Bartholomew marching towards Hope's room.

Lightning positions herself to the corner of the room, out of sight and behind the door when it opens. She looks at Hope, silently shushing with a finger on her lips. Hope nods, understanding what she means.

Bartholomew opens the door, he looks angry and drunk, in his free hand is an empty bottle of the whisky. He slowly approaches to Hope, Hope just back up on the wall like a coward. Bartholomew takes out a knife. Lightning gives a disappointed look and shook her head.

Lightning sneaks up to Bartholomew. Bartholomew became surprised when he feels something grabbing his shoulders. "What the-"

Lightning slams Bartholomew against the wall, grabbing him on his shirt, lifting him off of his feet. "What the hell is your problem!?" Lightning shouts at him. "Why on earth are you doing this to Hope!? Why are you blaming him for Nora's death?! It wasn't his fault!"

Bartholomew was about to speak, but Lightning slams him into the wall again. "Get this through to your head: If you were a complete stranger, I would have killed you the moment you walked right in. The only thing that's keeping me from doing that is because you're his dad!"

Lightning loosens her grip on Bartholomew, then she holds her hand out. "Now, you're going to give me the knife, and go apologize to Hope. Right. Now."

Bartholomew slowly hands the knife to Lightning. Lightning gives him a look that's saying 'Do it!'. The moment Bartholomew had the knife on Lightning's hand, he didn't let go, instead he quickly smashes the whisky bottle on the side of Lightning's head, shattering the bottle and knocking Lightning down.

Hope was worried seeing that. "Lightning!" Lightning moans as she lays on the floor, putting a hand on her head. Bartholomew stands beside Lightning, ready to stab her with the knife, but Hope slams at him with his body. "Dad!" Bartholomew stumbles back then falls back on Hope's desk.

Lightning turns her head, seeing what Hope did. Hope groans in pain at his aching body, realizing that wasn't such a good idea. "Leave her alone!"

Bartholomew growls at Hope, then spits on the floor. Bartholomew makes his way towards Hope, who is now backing away until he's cornered. Bartholomew is in front of Hope as he raises the knife, ready to strike.

"This...hic! Is for Nora!" Bartholomew says.

He was about to strike, until Lightning grabs his wrist, pulls him back against the wall. Lightning holds him in place, moving her fist back, ready to punch.

"Hope." Hope looks at Lightning, both concern and worried. "Look away. You do not want to see this."

Hope believes that she's right, so he closes his eyes and covers them with his hands. That's when Lightning begins beating the hell out of Bartholomew. Punches in the face, kicks in the gut, elbow jabs in the stomach.

Hope just reacts nervously to the attacks Lightning's giving Bartholomew. He isn't seeing any of this, but he can just imagine how the fights going from all the beating and blow noises.

Finally Lightning tosses Bartholomew to the ground. Bartholomew is about to get up, but he freezes as Lightning takes out her Gunblade and points it at him. Hope takes a peek, too afraid to fully see what he thought was gonna happen next. Bartholomew backs away as Lightning moves closer and closer to him. Bartholomew corners himself. He raises his hands open as Lightning has the tip of her blade touching his throat.

"Heed my words:" Lightning growls at him. "If you ever, and I mean EVER, hurt Hope again, touch him, or even come near him. It'll be the last thing you'll ever do. Am I clear?" Bartholomew nervously nods, Lightning kept glaring at him. "You are pathetic."

Lightning twists her weapon to it's side then hits Bartholomew in the head, knocking him out. After that, Lightning puts the Gunblade back in it's holster, then she moves to Hope. She kneels in front of him. "You okay?" She calmly asks.

"I'm fine." Hope whispers. Hope gently places a hand on Lightning's head. "You're bleeding."

Lightning puts a hand on the coat of blood on her forehead, she figured that was caused by the bottle that hit her. "I'm fine, it's probably just a cut. Come on, let's get you to a hospital."

Lightning helps Hope stand up. She wraps an arm around his waist with Hopes arm over her shoulder. Lightning helps Hope out of his house and into the car. Lightning gets into the drivers sit and starts driving.

Lightning drives to a nearby hospital, three blocks from Hope's house. As soon as she parked the car, she helps Hope enter the hospital. They arrive at the receptionist, Lightning demends an immediate treatment for Hope.

In almost no time, three doctors arrives with a stretcher. Hope lays in it and two doctors takes him to the examine room, while the other doctor takes Lightning to one of the patient rooms to check out her cut.

"How did this happen?" The doctor asks.

"I got hit in the head." Lightning says.

"I can see that, but from what?"

"A bottle."

"I see." The doctor gets a close look at Lightning's cut. "Doesn't look deep at all. Of course if it was, you would probably be dead." Lightning just rolls her eyes. It's probably obvious.

After the doctor was done with the cut, Lightning sits in the waiting room. Nurse Rosa from FFIV walks in and approaches to Lightning. "Ms. Farron? You here for the patient, Hope Estheim?" Lightning nods. "He's going to be fine. No serious injures, just a few cuts and bruises. But we are gonna keep him over night just to make sure." Lightning smiles, hearing that Hope's okay. "May I asked how this happened?"

Lightning isn't sure if she should explain the whole 'Father beating up and attempted to kill his whole son' situation.

"Eh...well, Hope was in an ally and...he was getting beaten up by a thug." Lightning lies.

"Okay. By the way, Hope wishes to see you." Rosa says.

The nurse escorts Lightning directly to Hopes room. There, Lightning finds Hope laying on the bed, with a sadden expression.

Lightning approaches the young boy. "Hey. You feeling okay?"

"Yeah." Hope says.

Lightning sits on the chair by his bed side. Hope gently raises his hand to Lightning's bandage on her head. "Does it hurt?"

"A bit. Not as bad as the beating I gave Bartholomew." Hope chuckles a little hearing that, Lightning smiles as well. After their short laughing, Lightning grabs hold of Hopes hand. "Hey." Hope looks directly at Lightning. "I'm sorry about your dad."

"It's okay." Hope whispers. "I always knew we wouldn't get along well, especially since mom's no longer around to keep us together."

Lightning nods, understanding. "I called the Guardian Corps while I was waiting, they are gonna take care of your dad. He won't bother you again."

"I don't think he ever well after what you did to him before knocking him out." Hope gives a small frown. "What am I going to do? He's all I had left."

Lightning shook his head. "No he isn't."

"What do you mean?" Hope asks.

"Hope. You can come live with me, in new Bodhum. You can still have a family. Me and Serah...and Snow of course. You want to become a Farron?"

Hope doesn't answer, he's pretty surprised to hear that. He's never really expected Lightning to take him in, compared to her usually attitude, even through she does go soft for him.

Hope answers with a smile. "Yes. I would like that very much."

Lightning smiles. She puts a hand on Hopes head and gently strokes his silver hair. "The doctors are going to keep you here over night, do you want me to stay?"

"No, I'm okay. Besides, I think there's someone who's going to be worried about your disappearance."

Lightning nods, she's knows it's true, especially since she forgot to call Serah about what happened. She's gonna need an explanation soon.

"All right. I'll come back tomorrow to pick you up, then I'm going to take you to your home."

"Why?" Hope asks in confusion.

"To pack your things, silly." Lightning says, gently flicking him in the forehead. Hope and Lightning laughs. "Anyways, I'll be back in the morning. Take care."

Lightning gives Hope a kiss on the forehead, then she makes her leave. "You too." Hope says as she leaves.

Lightning makes her leave from the hospital, she's surprised to see how late it already is, the sun is setting and the moon is about to raise. Lightning gets into her car and drives away.

In about forty minutes, Lightning arrives at home. Inside the house, Serah is pacing around, worried, while Snow is just sitting on the couch watching her. Lightning enters the house, that's when Serah rushes up to her and gives Lightning a hug.

"Oh, Clair. I'm so glad you're okay." Lightning gently shoves Serah off of her.

"I'm fine, Serah." Lightning says. "Sorry I was a little late."

Serah gasps at the sight of Lightning's forehead bandaged. "What happened? Are you okay?"

Lightning puts a hand on her bandaged head. "I'm fine, it's just a cut."

Snow walks up beside Serah. "Whoa. What happened, sis?"

"I am not your sister!" Lightning says to Snow, in an angry tone. "I found Hope but...something terrible happened."

"What happened?" Serah asks. Now Snow starts to worry when he heard that.

Lightning explains the what happened to Serah and Snow, about what happened to Hope, what he father did and was about to do. Serah look horrified hearing the whole thing.

"That's horrible. Why would Mr. Estheim do this?" Serah asks.

"Cause he's a drunkhead." Lightning answers.

"Where's Hope right now?" Snow asks.

"He's in the hospital. They're only keeping him over night just to make sure he's okay." Snow sighs in relief hearing that. "Oh, so now you're worried?" Serah and Lightning laughs, making Snow feel ashamed. "Anyways, Hope's going to be living with us. When he gets here, please don't mention anything about his father."

Serah and Snow nods. "But wait, where's Hope going to sleep? We don't have a guest room."

"We'll work something out." Lightning says.

After their conversion, Serah makes dinner. After dinner, Lightning goes straight to bed, it might be the loss of blood or the concussion from her head injury, but she's tired. So she goes to bed early, leaving the happy couple alone to do their lovey-dovey thing.

A/N: I almost hurled writing that ending.